BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Good afternoon!

Thank you to those who have completed this year's Quaglia Parent Survey. We know your time is valuable and your feedback is as well! This annual survey evaluates school climate and culture and is available to staff, parents, and students in grades 3 to 8. The survey will be open for two weeks after which we will share the results with the wider community. We are hoping for as close to 100% participation as possible. It takes just a few minutes to complete. Students who have permission will be taking the survey in school.

Simply Click here: SURVEY LINK

The access code is: 496944

BUDGET HEARING - TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 - 5:30 PM - Music Room or ONLINE (see attached agenda for log in info)

The Budget Hearing where the Board presents their draft budget and welcomes public input/feedback is this Tuesday at 5:30 pm in the Music Room. I hope you will consider joining the meeting (available by zoom as well). It's been a challenging budget season as we plan for a number of costs that are out of our control (increased benefits costs, more high school students (i.e. increased tuitions), and a change in Special Education law resulting in higher expenses. Despite this, we were able to put together a budget that supports our goals and work to improve educational outcomes for Plainfield students. We were able to do so while keeping spending increases in keeping with inflation. The challenge is that, due to an anticipated decrease in the revenue bottom line, the increase to our tax rate will be over 10%. The Administration and Board need to hear from families and community members so we can be sure we are presenting a budget you can stand behind.

EMERGENCY DRILL UPDATE

Lastly, I wanted to let everyone know we conducted a "Lockdown Drill" last week. During a drill, students and staff follow protocols developed as part of our Emergency Operations Plan that is submitted annually for approval by the state. Often times - as with last week's drill - we do not tell students ahead of time so we can get a more accurate understanding of what is working and where things need improving.

Our students and staff did an excellent job of following protocols and remaining calm and quiet. While teachers always follow up to reassure students, we thought it might be helpful for you to have some talking points as well.

• Our younger students understand that we practice so we remember what to do if there is ever a situation where it is safer to be in our classroom because something unsafe is happening in the hallway. They also understand it is super important to be ready to listen to the adults in the room.
• Older students, who are more likely to be unaccompanied in the building (e.g. going to the bathroom or the nurse, etc.) and able to independently take action in an emergency situation, talk through a wider variety of scenarios and the measures they can/should take to keep themselves safe.
• When we identify something that needs improving, we address it. For example, if there is an issue with a lock on a door that is not latching properly, we submit a request for repair to our Facilities Director - Aaron Newman - and label it with "high priority."
• Similarly, any human errors are addressed through re-teaching (individually and/or as a group of students and/or staff depending on the situation.)

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Whaleback FAST Participants (Students AND Chaperones), please see the important updates under WHALEBACK UPDATES below.

Enjoy your afternoon!

Audra

Audra Bucklin, Principal

603.469.3250, ext 223

abucklin@plainfieldschool.org

The Friday Afterschool Ski Time (FAST) at Whaleback begins this Friday and continues as follows:

Friday, 1/26

Friday, 2/2

Friday, 2/9

Friday, 2/16

Friday, 3/1 (NEW)

ALL LESSONS BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 4:15 PM. Link here to review the protocols and procedures in our chaperone handbook. Chaperones should plan to meet us at the mountain between 3:15 and 3:30 and will get your updated roster at that time. Plainfield students have the first floor of the lodge as our "base camp." The tables in the middle will be for free skiers (grades 5 and up who can ski and ride the chairlift without a chaperone.) The tables around the edges of the room are for our lesson groups. We will have signage for each group that includes the names of the chaperones so you can easily connect with your skiers to get organized and ready for their lesson.

PICK UP IS NO LATER THAN 5:30. AN AUTHORIZED ADULT MUST BRING THE CHILD'S ARMBAND TO THE CHECK OUT COUNTER ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE LODGE AND PHYSICALLY SIGN THEIR CHILD OUT ON THE ATTENDANCE SHEET.

NOTE: Students returning from lessons will check in outside by the picnic tables while free skiers can sign out inside at the table.

Things went very smoothly with the busing and we really appreciate your attention to the instructions below.

Students who plan to take the bus to Whaleback:

• Please be sure to send a note indicating your child is riding the bus to Whaleback
• No skis or poles are allowed on buses. They may be dropped off at drop off by the front corner of the school and MUST BE LABELED with the student's name and grade. (Please label both poles and both skis.) We will deliver the skis, boards and poles to the mountain and we try to organize them by grade level so students can find them a bit more easily.
• All other gear (incl helmets, boots, gloves, goggles, etc.) should be packed neatly in a bag the students can carry onto the bus.
• Students will board P7 at the usual time. They arrive at Whaleback before 3:30 and have plenty of time to grab a quick snack (if you are not signing up via Whaleback or sending cash, you will want to pack one), get suited up, and retrieve their equipment.

Students who plan to get a ride with a parent/friend:

• All Plainfield students should register via Whaleback's site (even if you have a season pass and don't plan to take the bus) - https://whaleback.theonlysky.com/ecomm3/products/view/?flow=Plainfield%20Elementary
• The adult you ride with is responsible for your supervision at Whaleback until PES chaperone/staff arrive. The adult should speak with Ms. Bucklin to ensure the student is checked in and on our list. If the students does not get signed in on our attendance list at the PES counter, they will remain the responsibility of the person who picked them up at school.
• All PES students are representing PES since it is "our day" at the mountain. As such, all PES skiers are responsible for conducting themselves in accordance with school rules.

23 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome

23 - PES School Board Public Hearing (Budget), 5:30 pm – Music Room

25 - 8th Grade to HACTC 8:45 am (Felecia Foley)

25 - Math Team Practice - 2:50-4:00pm

26 - Whaleback- FAST - 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

LOOKING AHEAD:

For the most up-to-date information, please be sure to see the Events Section of the website which includes athletic/co-curricular practices and games. If you download the website app on your phone (bottom right corner of the website for instructions), you can update the settings to it will alert you when events or news items are added.

HOT LUNCHES (All are served with a veggie and milk)

MONDAY- Meatball Sub, maple baked bean, and hand cut french fries

TUESDAY- Cheese quesadilla, garden salsa, cabot sour cream, and confetti corn salsa

WEDNESDAY- Sweet and sour Chicken, rice pilaf with steamed broccoli

THURSDAY- Hot Turkey sandwich, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, chef’s mashed potatoes and roasted parsnips

FRIDAY- Cheesy breadsticks, marinara sauce with hearty country vegetable soup

"COLD" Options: (offered daily)

Assorted Pre-made Deli Sandwiches

Yogurt Parfait with Fruit and Granola

Fresh Fruit and Veggie Bar with Dinner Roll

See Abbey Group Website for full details and to upload funds.

Amanda & Katie

603.469.3250

office@plainfieldschool.org

I am pleased to report that our illness numbers are decreasing! As school resumed classes after the new year, we still had a smattering of COVID cases and a stomach bug worked its way through several students last week. But overall, our school population seems to be getting healthier and not sharing the germs as much. These improvements are just in time for the start of Whaleback skiing which no one wants to miss!

It takes a village to keep a population healthy, especially when that population is school-age children. We will continue to be vigilant in maintaining a clean and healthy environment for your student(s) to excel in (props to our awesome custodial crew!) and in educating students about handwashing and healthy habits whenever the opportunity is presented. Masking is still a possibility for any students or staff exposed to COVID and suggested for those who are having mild cold symptoms to prevent transmission.

Lastly, please remember that sick notices/absences need to be sent to schoolnurse@plainfielschool.org as well as to office@plainfieldschool.org.

Thanks,

Nurse Beth

schoolnurse@plainfieldschool.org

The Plainfield Elementary School NH DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee is a dedicated group of educators, parents, and community members who are committed to promoting a safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environment for all students. Our mission is to foster a school community that values and celebrates diversity, where every student feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. We believe that by embracing diversity and promoting equity and inclusion, we can create a more enriching and supportive educational experience for all students.

To learn more about the Plainfield Elementary School NH DEI Committee and our initiatives, please visit our Google Drive folder by clicking on the "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" button on SAU committee webpage, which can be accessed by clicking HERE. This folder contains resources, documents, and information related to our committee's work, including meeting minutes, event announcements, and educational materials. We encourage students, parents, and community members to explore the folder and engage with the resources provided.

Watch this space for resources and information we will be sharing in hopes you will join in our journey towards a more inclusive and equitable school community.

The Plainfield School District Wellness Committee is committed to supporting student and educator wellness. We will be researching and sharing useful tips to maintain a healthy school community. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Nurse Beth who chairs this committee: schoolnurse@plainfieldschool.org

The image below is linkable.

4 Winds

4 Winds is a K-4th grade program; if you are interested or know of a family or community member who would like to volunteer, please contact Michelle Whitaker. mo.whitaker@yahoo.com or 585-690-3472

Town of Plainfield Community Services

Any Plainfield or Meriden resident requiring assistance for housing, heating fuel assistance, electricity assistance, medication assistance and or nutritional support from the Town should contact the Community Resource Director, Stephanie Schell. Contact information: 603-469-3201 or email sschell@plainfieldschool.org. All information is confidential.

Food Pantry

Residents of the Town of Plainfield can access the following local services.
Note: The food pantry and clothing swap rooms are located in the Christ Community Church on Route 12A (across from the Plainfield Fire Department). The Food Pantry is open the 1st Thursday and the 3rd Friday and Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and warmly welcomes all Town residents.

Free Clothing Rooms

The Christ Community Church has (2) very well organized rooms that contain FREE clothing for adults and children. All clothing is donated and in great condition. In addition to clothing there are also Free household items, toys & books as well. These rooms are open to the Public each Tuesday morning from 9-11 a.m.

Free Fresh Veggies & Fruit